Several former players of Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski follow his footsteps to a head coaching job. Marshall Plumlee is headed the other route — serving in the U.S. Army.
On Friday, Plumlee, a student in Duke's ROTC program, completed his Contract Ceremony which renders him a commissioned member of the Army upon graduation.
Congrats to @marshallplumlee . Just completed his Contract Ceremony with the U.S. Army. pic.twitter.com/nmpVXjZBjI
— Duke Basketball (@dukeblueplanet) January 23, 2015 Squad honored to support @marshallplumlee at his Contract Ceremony. US Army will be better/taller b/c of this day. pic.twitter.com/zBjEjJ3263
— Duke Basketball (@dukeblueplanet) January 23, 2015 Krzyzewski served in the military from 1969-74 and was awarded the 2014 George Catlett Marshall Medal , the most prestigious award given out by the Association of the U.S. Army.
So in October 2012, Krzyzewski took the Blue Devils to Fort Bragg for conditioning. According to the Duke Chronicle, Plumlee spoke with officers and expressed interest in joining the Army and joined Duke's ROTC program during the 2012-13 academic year. He is expected to complete the program by 2016, which is when he will become a commissioned officer.
There was one road bump, though: The Army has a height limit of 80 inches. Plumlee, listed at 7-0, got a special waiver which allowed him to continue with the contracting ceremony.
